Let’s review best countries to visit in 2019
Again all through December, we hosted a ballot and acquired you wanderlusting lot to share with us the place on the earth you wished to go to most in 2019.
Entries got here of their 1000’s, which is why it’s taken us most of January to depend all of them! And though the final word bucket listing locations like New Zealand and Hawaii are nonetheless firmly on the prime, there are some attention-grabbing new entries climbing their manner up the journey charts.
The place will you be headed this 12 months? Unsure but? Scroll right down to comply with us on a whistle-stop tour of the most popular vacation spot, or skip to the locations you’re most interested in clicking beneath…
1. New Zealand
But once more, New Zealand snagged over 1 / 4 of your votes within the Australia and South Pacific class and had essentially the most votes general, proving these two good islands within the Pacific will eternally be nirvana for journey seekers.
Skydiving, canyon swinging, bungee leaping and drifting via caves illuminated by glow worms are all in a day’s work right here. So is glacier climbing, volcano scaling, and swimming with wild dolphins. Then, there’s the curious Scorching Water seashores (sure, actually – deliver a spade), the hikes via the Remarkables (howdy, award for the world’s loveliest mountain vary identify), and the highway journeys down Route 80 within the shadow of Mt Prepare dinner (pictured above).
We may truthfully listing 100 issues that knock the wind proper out of our chests in New Zealand. We received’t… that will make our weblog too lengthy. However we’ll say this. If you happen to may solely ever journey (and we imply correctly journey) anyplace as soon as, it must be New Zealand.
Psst. They do nice wine, too.
New Zealand must-sees:
• Rotorua, located on the north island, is the right place to study in regards to the Indigenous Maori tradition. There’s scorching springs there, too.
• Go caving with glow worms in Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, as a result of it appears like one thing straight out of Avatar.
• Cruise via Milford Sound as waterfalls crash overhead. Nature lovers, be warned – the drive to get there alone will make you weak on the knees.
Take a look at our New Zealand journeys
Or see the very best of each islands in 17 days with our Huge Tiki tour round the entire thing.
2. Morocco
This north African gem skyrocketed to the highest of our African locations ballot. Why?
It may very well be as a result of, alongside historic cities and unbelievable medinas ripe for exploration, there are seashores with crazy-good surf.
It may very well be that the buying in Marrakech is a number of the finest on the earth. Assume premium high quality leather-based, spices, jewelry and delightful homeware.
It may very well be to do with the truth that Moroccan meals is, nicely, superb. And also you’ll probably be served it while sat on plush cushions, surrounded by rugs, stay bands and stomach dancers.
Or it may very well be as a result of all of that is nonetheless only a one-hour boat journey from Europe. We’re severe. There are heaps of ferries a day – so you’ll be able to simply jump over for a number of days in your European journey.
Morocco must-sees:
• In stark distinction to the remainder of heat and sandy Morocco, the town of Chefchaouen is painted in a blue you’ve solely ever seen earlier than in your desires. Instagrammers, brace yourselves!
• Discover the souks and take in the spice of Marrakech. This vibrant metropolis is the right mixture of cosmopolitan artwork, and Arabian magic. Plus, you’ll get to remain in one of many many conventional riyadhs, most of which have modern rooftops, plush furnishings and courtyard swimming pools. Whats up, finest vacation ever.
• Head up into Africa’s reply to the Alps, the Atlas Mountains,to take in the surroundings, expertise native tradition and hang around with camels. Tons, of camels. Do you know that in winter, locals may even ski right here?
Take a look at our Morocco journey information
3. Egypt
Pharaohs, tombs, mummies, Cleopatra – when you grew up taking part in Tomb Raider or watching the movie The Mummy, then this historic jewel in northeast Africa will likely be excessive up in your listing. Mummified excessive monks and Brendan Frasier apart, there are a heap of different causes to go to this big North African tourism hub.
Like awe-inspiring monuments and pyramids, huge alluring desert landscapes, world-class diving within the Crimson Sea, and the mighty, but serene and peaceable Nile River put Egypt on the very prime of your Africa agenda this 12 months.
Should-sees/dos:
• What journey to Egypt can be full with out a go to to Cairo’s Pyramids of Giza? These gravity-defying monuments have been constructed nearly 3000 years in the past as a present to the gods. To this present day, scientists are stumped on how they managed, and if you see the sheer scale of those three beasts, you’ll perceive why. If that type of thriller doesn’t draw you in – perhaps Giza’s elaborate tombs, temples and photo voltaic boat pits will. Don’t know what a photo voltaic boat pit is? Go discover out!
• The Pyramids of Giza have been constructed by pharaohs of the Previous Kingdom, however pharaohs of the New Kingdom arrange their cribs (or crypts, to be extra traditionally correct) in a valley in Luxor. The Valley of the Kings is usually named the World’s Biggest Open Air Museum, because of the sheer expanse of ruins nonetheless current. Don’t fear – there’s nonetheless shade, inside one of many dozens of tombs, as soon as residence to Tutankhamun.
• The White Desert Nationwide Park is a mystifying sight: it principally appears prefer it’s snowed within the desert. The very best time to go to? Dawn or sundown when it goes all pinky-orange. Or camp there for an all-encompassing expertise.
Take a look at our Egypt journey excursions right here.
4. Hawaii
For the North America a part of our ballot, this out of doors lover’s wonderland sitting fairly within the Pacific got here tied first place with Canada. However hey, it’s January and it’s chilly, and so proper now, we’re extra inclined to swoon over scorching, sandy seashores and surf than we’re snowy mountains (sorry Canada. We nonetheless actually love you, however we’ll give Hawaii the limelight on this weblog).
Though nonetheless a part of america, these eight islands couldn’t be extra distinctive from the remainder of the mainland. Hawaiians keep deep rooted traditions, reminiscent of training aloha ‘aina (love for the land), and holding annual festivals full of native music, boat races and browsing.
However what the locals have in chill, nature makes up for in buckets right here. Large waves crash in opposition to big cliffs and lava flows freely from volcanoes, nonetheless altering and moulding the form of the ever-changing panorama.
Chilled within the truest sense of the phrase, however nonetheless someway nonetheless so wild and rambunctious… Sound preferrred? E book that flight and prepare to expertise actual island life.
Hawaii must-sees:
– Hike the Na Pali shoreline on Kauai and take within the dramatic landscapes. Simply bear in mind that nicely over half of this wilderness is inaccessible on foot. One of the simplest ways to see it, subsequently? Fly over it in a helicopter.
– Volcanoes Nationwide Park on Huge Island is residence to 2 lively volcanoes, Kilauea, and Mauna Loa. Oh, and a few fairly epic alternatives to see lava up shut.
– Get moist! Whether or not its browsing classes or simply dipping a toe within the waves, Hawaii’s seashore life is the actual motive why so many America’s completely adore it. We suggest diving – in addition to incredible coral, you’ll spot sharks, manta rays and turtles offshore.
Take a look at our Hawaii journey information
5. Peru
At one time the holy grail of off the crushed monitor locations, Peru is now turning into an increasing number of accessible by the 12 months. Nonetheless, this South American adventureland is an extremely numerous and sophisticated place, throwing out Amazonian jungle treks, nice seashores, rainbow mountains, and naturally, Wonders of the World left, proper and centre. Principally, its the whole lot you’d ever need from South America, all rolled up into one nation.
Peru must-sees:
• The Inca Path is the principle motive traveller’s head to Peru – the magic of Machu Picchu, the problem of hike, and the jaw-dropping surroundings on the way in which up… put together your self!
• The Sacred Valley stretches round 60km via the Andean highlands and was on the centre of the Inca Empire. Now it’s all about rural villages, mountainous backdrops, and historic ruins. And don’t overlook to go to Rainbow Mountain.
• The biodiverse and luxurious inexperienced Amazon Rainforest. As a result of it could be INSANITY to not go to the Amazon whilst you’re on the market.
Familiarize yourself with the nation on our Peru journey information
Or hop straight on the Inca Path with excursions ranging from simply $485.
6. Japan
“Insane”, “one other world…”, “mind-bending” are just some methods we’ve heard you wide-eyed lot describe the world’s downright coolest vacation spot. Now that we’ve acquired frequent flights departing for Tokyo for below £500, it’s topping everybody’s 2019’s journey listing.
Japan is a land the place impeccably preserved historic traditions meet the longer term… in all its full-beam neon glory. An city explorer’s Disneyland (however roughly 17,180 occasions larger), it’s a curious world the place geishas and sumo wrestlers nonetheless roam, the place bullet trains journey at 150 miles per hour and the place whole buildings are devoted to gaming and interactive digital artwork.
Japan must-sees:
• Get misplaced in Tokyo’s Shinjuku and Shibuya neighbourhoods. Glowing and teeming with life, Tokyo’s numerous lanes disguise 1,000,000 discoveries – superior meals, cocktail bars, ultra-modern arcades, karaoke cubicles and galleries galore.
• Marvel on the Kinkaku-Ji, Ginkaku-Ji, and Fushimi Inari-Taisha in Kyoto. And, when you’re actually fortunate, spot a glimpse of a geisha gliding by within the historic Gion neighbourhood.
• For an genuine expertise, spend the night time in a standard Japanese ryokan – these delicate and ornate mini-motels require visitors to put on yukata robes and slippers, sleep on tatami mats and futons, and generally even bathe in communal scorching springs, referred to as onsens.
Take a look at our Japan journey information
6. Greece
Sprawling out throughout the Mediterranean, Greece’s 6000 islands and 10,000 miles of shoreline are a number of the most iconic pictures of Europe. No shock then, that you just guys voted for Greece over some other vacation spot on this continent.
Are you planning on spending two weeks, a month, or perhaps a summer season crusing via these pristine specks of land, absorbing all of the solar, ouzo, and historic mythology? Fortunate, fortunate you.
Greece must-sees:
– Island hopping is the secret right here. Pull up a pew at Skaros in Imerovigli (nicely, e book one upfront if you’d like a great place), seize a cocktail, and watch because the solar units over Santorini’s white painted homes. Need extra pleasure? Head to Mykonos or Ios, for backpacker finances lodging, all-night events, and numerous seashores to relaxation up on the following day.
– Don your tradition vulture hat and head to Athens to take a look at the traditional Parthenon, and Acropolis, earlier than feasting on contemporary Greek seafood.
– Obtained extra time to discover the mainland? Good. As a result of as a lot consideration because the Greek islands get, in our opinion, the actual Greek showstoppers are on dry floor. Take as an illustration, Meteora. Right here, the monasteries of Nice Meteoron, Roussanou and Tiny St. Nikolaos (and there’s extra) perch enchantingly atop column-like clifftops overlooking the verdant, village speckled hills beneath. Yep. Summer season in Europe is greater than only a fling – it’s a fairy story.
Take a look at our Greece journey information
7. Dubai
Not only a stopover vacation spot, Dubai and the remainder of the United Arab Emirates has climbed as much as second place in your wanderlist and it’s simple to see why. Dubai isn’t nearly flashy life and skyscrapers that defy gravity, it’s additionally acquired a little bit of an edge – due partly to their inventive expat neighborhood (take a look at the Dubai Design District, their annual Sole DXB competition and their all-you-can-drink/eat brunch tradition). After all, we don’t wish to overlook the fast-paced cultural hub of Abu Dhabi, with its lavish mosques and sugar-white stretches of seashore, or the other-worldly landscapes of Oman throughout the border.
Dubai’s must-sees:
• The water fountains on the Burj Khalifa: they placed on a powerful dancing present to music each night from 6pm – 11pm.
• A safari within the Arabian Desert is the right option to escape the town: dune bashing, desert wandering, camel using and an genuine dinner below the celebrities. Magic.
• Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is a severe sight – all white marble with gold and complicated detailing, and it makes for an insane Instagram shot.
Learn extra: The very best locations to eat in Dubai
Take a look at our Dubai journey information
9. Israel
For a rustic so small, Israel packs in additional historical past than anyplace. Don’t let the delicate political scenario deter you – as an alternative, you must let your self get misplaced amidst it’s spellbinding markets and minarets, below it’s domes and in it’s deserts – it’s a various land, filled with the traditional, and the hyper-modern. And it’s it’s simply subsequent door to Jordan, you would even mix a visit to the 2 collectively, knocking off two Center Jap trending locations off the listing in a single go, this 2019…
Israel must-sees:
– The truth that Jerusalem is the non secular homeland for Christians, Jews and Muslims makes it a metropolis not like some other on Earth. The place virtually hums with non secular devotion, and every market (don’t Mahane Yehuda Market) acts as a melting pot of delectable Center Jap fare. Watch devoted Jews worship on the Western Wall, head to Bethlehem to search out the birthplace of Jesus, then go to the Church of the Holy Sepulchure, to search out the place he was resurrected.
– Away from non secular custom lies the cosmopolitan capital of modern-day Israel: Tel Aviv. Right here, you’ll be able to spend days chilling on considered one of its many seashores, taking in hipster artwork galleries and café tradition of Previous Jaffa and Neve Tzedek, devouring your manner via a meals scene that rivals London or New York’s, or partying all night time lengthy to techno.
– Wander via Bahá’í Gardens, also referred to as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa, close to Acre.
